The Anti-Slavery Society once more appears in the field as
the opponent of immigration to the West Indies. Headed by Lord Brougham, they waited upon the Duke of Newcastle on Beturday, laid before him their memorial of complaints, and asked for an inquiry. The Duke of Newcastle, however, adopted a course which probably the gentlemen did not anticipate : he showed that some of the main statements in the memorial are quite unfounded. Thus, it is said, Africans are brought into British colonies, whereas that practice has ceased for some years ; that Chinese are imported at the public expense, whereas they are imported at the expense of the parties interested ; that the loss of life on the voyage is excessive—the Duke fixes it at six per cent ; that there is a great disproportion between the sexes, whereas of late, at least, the proportion is something like 8 to 10. The Duke very properly remarked that there is no com- parison between the immigration of labourers into Free States and into Slave States, because in the former case the labourer can return, in the latter ease never. As to an inquiry, the Duke is of opinion that it would be practically useless, and he suggested that, instead thereof, the Society should help him to draw up questions which could be sent out to persons in authority in the colonies. The deputation have determined to collect evidence themselves, and send it to the Colonial Office. Of course, if there are abuses in the system of immigration they should be corrected as well for the sake of the colonies as the immigrants themselves, and the question may fairly be left in the hands of a Minister so conscientious as the Duke of Newcastle.
At home, one large body of our labourers, the operatives of the -Building trades, have placed themselves in a false position. For sometime they have been attempting to obtain ten hours wages for nine hours work—carrying on, in fact, what has been called
the "nine hours movement." A few days ago they brought the
ssfie_. to an issue by n point-blank demand for concession. Receiving a point-blank refusal, the workmen foolishly resolved to strike, and as a beginning thelabonrers of one large farm left their work. It is clear that the agitators hoped to beat the em- ployers in detail, but in this they are deceived, the employers themselves have resolved to strike, and on the 6th of August, if both parties remain in their present mood, all the great building firms in London will close their establishments. It is easy Vs see that, although great loss may be inflicted on both sides, victory must remain with the employers.
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